Golf game



Match 1.2;1929. w, w, MALLOY' ET AL I 1,704,985

GOLF GAME Filed May 21, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q I \/k h \J INVZTORSjpJ W W 777% 0 ZWZ acanz'nz 3/ A TTORNEYS.

March 12, 1929. w, w, MALLOY ET 1,704,985

GOLF GAME Filed May 21, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR; 71 W QZZQy A TTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 12, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM W. MAIAIIOY AND'EMIL 1L TOSCANINI, OF SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA.

GOLF GAME.

Application filed Kay 21,

This invention relates to games and amusement apparatus and more especially to a game structure for use in the practice of driving golf balls with the usual standard of personally adapted golf clubs.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide an apparatus whereby the driven ball is captured in a raceway and is permitted to continue a flight which is, While continuous as long as the ball has momentum, confined to a path wherein the ball is at all times clearly visible after entering its confining race-way, so that the player may drive to the utmost and readily Watch the traverse of the ball to its stopping place and by practice obtain self-confidence in driving with a view of achieving a long hard drive with a reasonable certainty that his constant effort at certain driving force will effect a desired length of drive on a field.

For instance, by this invention the player may step-by-step, or progressively develop his or her united mental concentration and physical stance to an early degree of perfection. Or the professional golfer may keep in practice by playing at the apparatus either at his home or club, or other places where access may be had to the apparatus.

Another object is to provide means for positively signalling the approximate place of termination of the flight of the ball played. v

,A further object is to provide means for permitting the drive of a considerable number of the balls and to provide for collecting or holding the driven balls at the place of flight cessation, and to provide for the concurrent release of all detained balls to a basketor other desired repository-for played balls.

Numerous additional ob ects, advantagesand features of construction, combination .and arrangement of parts, and details of means will be made manifest in the ensuing description of the herewith illustrative embodiment; it being understood that modifications, variations and adaptations may be restorted to within the scope, spirit and principle of the invention as it is more directly claimed: hereinafter.

Figure 1 is a plan of the apparatus.

Figure 2 is a vertical axial section.

Figure 3 is a detail, sectional view ofone of the detaining traps and the relativesignal number of a flight stop station.

In its illustrated form the apparatus in 1928. Serial No. 279,432.

elude a horn-like case 2 which may have a suitably shaped inlet mouth as for instance square or round and which is disposed and opened in a vertical plane and is of any suitable size as will be determined according to practice. This horn is, in plan, of spiral and helical contour and pitches upward from the axis or centerof the mouth its smaller end emerging into the lower end of a helical raceway 3 which has avertical back track 4 presenting an internal concave face 5 which forms the supporting surface for a driven golf ball B.

The raceway 3 includes an over hanging top or eave 6 with a down turned flange 7 which is placed above a, continuousupturned flange 8 skirting a continuous bottom ledge 9. This ledge is provided with a plurality of outlet holes 11 of a size sufiicient to'allow a ball B to roll back down the inclined ledge 9 after the ball has lost its momentum and rolls down away from the back wall 4 of the raceway.

' The space between the flanges 7 and 8 is sulficiently wide to allow a clear observation of the ball whileit is rolling up the helical raceway and at the same time prevents the 7 ball B from escaping from the raceway during travel. 1

The holes 11 are placed at suitable distancesalorig the track ledge 9 and as here shown the outlet holes 11 are arranged at diametrically opposite points or sides of the Vertical helical raceway 3 and under each of the outlet holes 11 is a pocket or receiver 12 which is provided with an open front side 13 allowing observation of any balls collected therein. The collected balls are detained by trap doors 14 each of which has a releasing means whereby the several doors can be concurrentl operated to an opening position to release t e trapped balls from the pockets 12. In the present case the pockets are shown in respective vertical series each along an upright post or column 15 of which one is provided at each opposite side of the vertical raceway; the pockets 12 having their open fronts 13 disposed toward the players station S so that the player ma readily observe into which pockets 12 the li alls may drop after they roll down from the back wall 4.

Along each pocket column'15 is-secured a vertical return chute; and having holes 17 registering with the trap 1 doors 14. =Thus when the trap door releasing means which consists of a cable system 16 vertically disposed player be sufficiently :51 menses 18 ispulled the detained balls roll from the pockets 12 into. their respective chute 16, whence they return to baskets 19 or other repository as desired.

While the top end of the raceway 3 may be closed it is preferably left open so that if a skillful and powerful he may drive a ball entirely through the confining path of the raceway 3; it being understood that the diameter, pitch and length of the flight track 3 will be in accordance with desired practice.

Each of the pockets 12 is identified by a signal plate or index number 20 for convenience in keeping a record of the points or stations to which the ball or balls may have been driven during a players driving-practice.

It is further understood that the o ame is to be played with golf balls and with the standard golf equipment of clubs.

lNhat is claimed is:

1. Game apparatus including a golf club and a golf ball, and a horn-case hziving a continuous and unobstructed helical running track of a size to permit flight until the ball motion is spent and means for preventing escape of the ball while in flight from a driving impulse.

2. Game apparatus including a golf club and a golf ball, and a horn-case having a continuous, laterally disposed, helical run ning back track of a size to permit flight until the ball motion is spent and means for preventing escape of the ball while in flight from a driving impulse, and a perforated,

bottom ledge having means for trapping the ball substantially at,the portion of the running track where the ball leaves the track.

3. Game apparatus including a helical runway about an upright axis and comprising a back track having a coneaved internal face on which the balls travel from its driving impulse, confining means permitting a view of the traveling ball, and means permitting a return of the ball after its driving momentum is spent.

4; Game apparatus including a vertical axis race-way having a horn-like inlet at its lower end to receive a driven golf ball and direct it into the race-way, said race-way having a grooved side track and a perforated bottom ledge for-returning a spent ball.

5. Game apparatus including a vertical axis race-way having a horn-like inlet at its lower end to receive a driven golf ball and direct it into the race-way, and ball collecting and return means including trap stations along the race-way.

6. Game apparatus including a vertical axis race-way having a horn-like inlet at its lower end to receive a driven golf ball and direct it into the raceway, index signs spaced along the race-way to show approximate end of ball flight motion, and ball returning traps at the index signs:

7. A game apparatus including a helical race-way and means for directing a driven golf ball thcreinto, said race-way including a continuous hack track for the hall to run on while having suilicient momentum, guards to allow view of the ball in flight along the track and preventing its escape, and a bottom ledge provided with trap holes for the ball when it leaves the back-track.

WlliL lAlVl N. MALLOY. EMIL M. TUSCANINI. 

